But Trump's first 2018 visit to Ohio is just as much about the Republicans showing a united front heading into the midterm elections. The president needs Ohio to remain Trump Country in what could be a wave year for Democrats, who hope to flip the U.S. Senate.

It's partly why U.S. Sen. Rob Portman is scheduled to make his first-ever Ohio appearance with Trump on his visit to Blue Ash manufacturer Sheffer Corp.

Trump particularly wants to rally the party around Congressman Jim Renacci, the favorite to emerge from the GOP Senate primary and face Democratic incumbent Sherrod Brown in November. Don't be surprised if Trump openly endorses Renacci during the visit here.

Think it's a coincidence that Portman and Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel endorsed Renacci this week? Or that Portman will be in Blue Ash after skipping all of Trump's campaign and post-election stops in Ohio? That alone includes a half-dozen trips to Greater Cincinnati, where Portman lives.

Portman does support Trump's tax cuts. It was the senator's office that recommended to the White House that Trump's event be held at Sheffer Corp. Portman visited the company last month.

Otherwise, Portman has been content to fly under the radar when it comes to Trump. Portman isn't up for re-election until 2022, but the Terrace Park resident has saved his political capital rather than join a growing list of Senate Republicans who have been critical of the president.

Emmalee Kalmbach, Portman's spokeswoman, issued this statement about the senator's participation in the Trump event: “Tax reform is making a real difference for Ohio workers and their families, and we’re pleased President Trump is coming to Cincinnati to talk about the benefits of this new law.”

MICRO-SCOOPS & MORE

• Clermont County Commissioner David Uible last month did not receive the county GOP's endorsement for his re-election bid – quite a surprise considering he's the incumbent and party chairman. So what happened? You may recall Uible made a bizarre decision in September to file a restraining order against constituent Chris Hicks, whohad repeatedly demanded the commish be transparent about the use of taxpayer money for a potential FC Cincinnati practice facility. Well, guess who sits on the county GOP's central committee, which makes the endorsement? Yep, Hicks, who whipped up enough votes to keep Uible from receiving the party's support. That means Uible will not be on any sample ballots handed out near polling locations on Election Day.

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• Former Congressman Steve Driehaus is working on starting his own political consulting firm. Driehaus returned home to Greater Cincinnati last spring after six years in Africa with the Peace Corps. He recently helped guide Hamilton County Clerk of Courts Aftab Pureval on his decision to run against Republican incumbent Steve Chabot in the 1st Congressional District. Driehaus is the last person to defeat Chabot, a decade ago.

• Democratic state Rep. Alicia Reece says she is officially pursuing the top job at the Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau. She had been considering running against Chabot, but felt like the Republican-leaning district is too gerrymandered for an African-American woman to have a legitimate shot at winning. The former Cincinnati vice mayor will be term-limited out of the statehouse at the end of the year.

• Ohio Democratic Party Chairman David Pepper took to Twitter on Friday to criticize fellow Greater Cincinnatian Brad Wenstrup for his decision to side with House Intelligence Committee Republicans in releasing a controversial memo related to the Russian investigation. Pepper tweeted to the GOP Congressman: "Have you no courage, Brad? The people of your district expect courage and patriotism from their Congressman. They expect country over party." That fired up several GOP leaders, including Republican National Committee co-Chairman Bob Paduchik. "It's shameful to question a combat veteran's patriotism and courage," Paduchik tweeted.

• A sure sign the Democrats are pumped about Pureval running for Congress: He raised $130,000 in the 24-hour period after his Wednesday morning kickoff event, his campaign spokeswoman told Politics Extra. That's more than Chabot raised in the entire fourth quarter of 2017. Chabot took in $103,317, but he still has $1.2 million in the bank, according to campaign finance records.

• Speaking of Pureval, a "coming soon" for sale sign has been placed in the front yard of his Hyde Park home. Pureval said he "recently" moved into the 1st Congressional District, but Chabot's campaign is attacking the Dem as being a carpetbagger.